Alif › Articles › Al-ḥamd: reading the first word of the Fatiha closely

ARTICLE

Al-ḥamd: reading the first word of the Fatiha closely

By Alif Editorial · Published 23 October 2026

Al-ḥamd, usually translated as praise, is the first word of Qur’an 1:2. Its root is ḥ-m-d, and the same word also opens 6:1 and 18:1. The verse begins with praise before anything is asked.

The first word

Qur’an 1:2 opens with the word al-ḥamd, usually translated as “praise”. It comes from the root ḥ-m-d, and it is the word the Fatiha starts with, before anything is asked.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

Praise before the request

Most of us begin a conversation with what we need. The Fatiha begins with praise, and the request comes later in the same surah: “guide us” is in 1:6. Before “guide us” there is a moment of noticing: Allah is Lord of the worlds, all of them, including the small world of your morning.

Guide us to the straight path.

Praise here is not a mood to be worked up. It is a statement you can read slowly and agree with.

The same word elsewhere

The root ḥ-m-d also opens other surahs. Check 6:1 and 18:1, which begin with the same word.

Praise be to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who disbelieve ascribe equals to their Lord.

Praise be to Allah, who revealed the Book to His servant, and allowed in it no distortion.

A small way to read it

Before the first message or feed of the day, read this verse once, slowly, in Arabic or in translation. Then ask yourself one question: what is one thing from yesterday you can name as a reason for praise?

This reading follows Day 1 of Alif Yolu, which you can read in full on the Alif Yolu page.

Terms in this article

• Ḥamd